Visual marker or beacon



y 30, 1967 4 R. P. MASON 3,323,117

VISUAL MARKER OR BEACON Filed June 29, 1964 INVENTOR. EOBEAT R MASON Ma /M A TTO/EWE Y5 3,323,117 VISUAL MARKER R BEACON Robert P. Mason, Soda Springs, Calif. (86 Carolyn St, Auburn, Calif. 95603) Filed June 29, 1964, Ser. No. 378,908 3 Claims. (Cl. 340-321) This invention relates to improvements in a Visual Marker or Beacon and more particularly to a device for visually marking a predetermined trail for subsequent travelers.

In the forest service, men and equipment are called upon to work in shifts ranging through both day and night at certain times of the year. For instance, just prior to and during critical fire danger seasons, men and equipment are deployed to service fire roads and fire lines. Some of these men are unfamiliar with the area they are called upon to work in, since many are hired or transferred specifically for these seasonal loads. Even men with some knowledge of the terrain have difliculty, especially at night, and it is not unknown for a tractor to go over an embankment or cliff when the driver could not see his way in the dark.

There is also the confusion due to crews having to determine where they are, where they should be, and what is the safest way to get the-re. This leads to lost time which may have a disastrouseffect in certain instances.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a marker or beacon adapted to be perceived readily under various light conditions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device constructed to be easily carried by a scout so that he may determine the best trail during the daytime and mark it with the device, which is visible day and night and which will indicate the proposed route to those following.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character described employing a flashing light, and which is operative in any position and is readily visible from any direction.

A still further object is to provide a device of the char acter described that can be economically manufactured, utilizing commercially available components, at a price low enough to leave the device where it is when its usefulness is ended without having to resort to expensive retrieval procedures.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as the specification progresses, and the new and useful features of the invention will be fully defined in the claims attached hereto.

I The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating how the .present device may be used by a scout to mark a trail;

United States Patent 0 3,323,117 Patented May 30, 1967 While only the preferred form of the invention is shown, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims attached hereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing it will be seen that the visual marker or beacon of the present invention consists essentially of a translucent housing means 11, light means 12. positioned within the housing means 11, a source 13 of electrical energy positioned within the housing means for energizing the light means 12 and a flasher 14 connected between the source of electrical energy and the light means for causing the light means to blink on and off.

The device is constructed to be small and lightweight so that a scout can carry a number of them without difficulty. This allows him to blaze a considerable amount of trail Without having to return to camp for more markers.

To be readily discernible to the persons following the trail, it is important that the marker stand out from its environment and present a large surface area visible from any direction. For this purpose the housing means is preferably substantially spherical or globe shaped and constructed so that it will provide maximum visibility in whatever attitude it may assume when dropped to the ground or onto rocks or vegetation.

In the form illustrated the housing is contructed from two hemispherical shells 16 and 17 joined by gluing or welding along a common circumference to form an interior chamber 18. Preferably, the shells are molded from a plastic having a relatively high impact strength for durability and the desired light passing characteristics. The plastic'may be tinted in any well known manner. The shells may be cemented or otherwise joined and made watertight so as to increase the utility of the device.

As an important feature of the present invention the housing is made to diffuse light passing therethrough. This presents an enlarged field of illumination which encompassess substantially the entire area of the housing. Similarly this feature keeps the sphere from acting as a lens in converging the suns rays, which could present a fire hazard in itself. This diffusion may be accomplished by surface embossing to provide refractive difiusion or, preferably, by using a material which possesses inherent light diffusing properties.

As here shown, the electrical energy source 13 is accommodated in a cylindrical sleeve 19 integrally molded on one hemisphere and extending radially therethrough. The inner end of sleeve 19 is closed by an integral wall 21 while the outer end of the sleeve projects outwardly from the sphere a short distance to provide a threaded extension 22. A threaded cap 23 screws onto extension 22 to close the outer end of the sleeve 19 but allow for ready access to the interior 25 thereof. The cap 23 has a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the sphere so as not to block the view of the illuminated housing.

Preferably, cars 24 are formed integrally with shell 17 to project from the housing at circumferentially spaced points, these ears being provided with holes 26 for attaching parachute shroud or other lines. The ears also cooperate with the outward extension 22 of the sleeve in keeping the device from rolling down an incline, thus assuring it will remain in place even though dropped. The parachute should also be brightly colored to aid in daytime visibility and should be at least translucent so as not to interfere with visibility at night.

The light means 12 is housed in the chamber 18, at the central area thereof, to illuminate the sphere. As here shown the light means is in the form of an electric incandescent lamp 27 held in a socket 28. The socket is supported by a bracket 29 on the inner end of sleeve 19. With this construction, the sleeve acts as a pedestal to support and properly position the lamp 27.

The source 13 of electric energy is here provided by an electric energy cell 3 1 housed in sleeve 19. The sleeve 19 is formed and proportioned to securely hold and protect the cell and properly position the cell terminals 32 and 33.

Connector means 34 provides an electrical circuit between the cell 31 and lamp 27 for transfer of energy therebetween. As here shown, insulated wires 36 and 37 are connected to contact plates 38 and 39 carried in the interior of sleeve 19. The wires 36 and 37 pass through end wall 21 at opening 41 and are operatively connected to socket 28. These wires may be permanently fastened to the socket and their respective contact plates by soldering or any other suitable means.

To insure good contact between the plates 38 and 39 and cell terminals 32 and 33, the cell is sandwiched between the plates 38 and 39 in the sleeve such that when the cap 23 is screwed on the threaded portion 22 the parts will be compressed tightly together. To conserve the energy of the cell 31 until the light is to be used an insulating strip 42 is normally interposed between one of the terminals and its associated contact plate. To activate the light, the cap is removed and insulating strip 42 is removed from between the cell terminated 33 and plate 39 and then is placed between plate 39 and cap 23 so as to urge plate 39 into intimate contact with terminal 33 when the cap is replaced. Preferably, the insulator strip is somewhat resilient and may conveniently be made of cardboard or other suitable material.

As an important feature of the present invention the light means 12 is made to blink or flash intermittently. As mentioned earlier it is desirable to have the device stand out and be readily seen. It is a well known psychological fact that the blinking light attracts more attention than a steady light. Also it is much easier to discern a blinking light in twilight or when it is in partial shadow. Additionally, the blinking light will cause much less drain on the cell 31 and will permit relatively long periods of use from a small cell.

There are many well known methods of accomplishing this blinking by momentarily interrupting the electrical energy path between the light means and electric energy source. I prefer to use a commercially available, low cost unit that I have found eminently satisfactory, one which combines the flasher and lamp in one unit such as lamp #401 disclosed in General Electric Companys miniature lamp catalog. In a similar manner I propose using a /2 D standard battery available from Eveready Battery Co. for the energy source. The structure defined is particularly adapted for use with such lamp and cell. However, other light andenergy sources could be used and, accordingly, the invention should not be confined solely to those set forth.

In one of the proposed methods of use, a scout would pack a number of my visual beacons in a packsack, say 40-80, which would weight about -30 pounds. In the afternoon he would start off to blaze a trail for use that night. As he walks along the proposed trail he is free to unscrew the cap and exchange the positions of the insulator strip 42 and contact plate 39 and then replace the cap to activate the blinking light. At appropriate places along his path he would hang or deposit the beacons where they could be seen by those following. It is not necessary that the scout place the device in any particular position since it would be visible from any direction and in any position.

The beacons could also be dropped from the air as illustrated in FIGURE 5. Here a parachute 43 having harness lines 44 is attached to the ears. The parachute, being preferably made from light-weight transparent plastic and also incorporating a bright color, would aid daytime visibility as well as slowing down the rate of fall. In this connection, it should be noted that the described construction is very sturdy as well as being inexpensive enough to dispense with retrieval.

While the device is particularly useful in marking trails for the safe and efficient passage of men and equipment it may also fulfill other job requirements, such as marking boundaries, emergency heliport lights, warning and distress lights for disabled vehicles and boats and other marking or signaling requirements. It will be appreciated that inventory could be consolidated by using this device as a standard item for all of these purposes.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my improved visual marker or beacon provides advantages of construction making possible its use in ways not heretofore possible or practicable.

I claim:

1. A device for visually marking a trail or the like, comprising a translucent housing colored to contrast with its intended environment, said housing being substantially spherical and formed from two hemispherical shells joined to form a hollow interior chamber, an electric lamp positioned in the central area of said chamber for illuminating and passing light through a major portion of said housing, an electric energy cell positioned within housing for energizing said electric lamp and having terminals at the ends thereof, a cylindrical sleeve extending radially within said housing and proportioned for holding said electric energy cell and forming a pedestal for supporting said electric lamp, said sleeve extending outwardly of said housing having threads thereon, a cap engageable with said threads to close the outward end of the sleeve wherein a readily accessible opening is provided to the interior of said housing, a connector means forming an electrical circuit between said electric energy cell and said electric lamp for transfer of energy therebetween, a flasher connected to said electrical circuit for causing said electric lamp to blink on and off, said connector means incorporating a pair of contact plates adapted to lie adjacent the terminals of the electric energy cell and make contact therewith, a removable insulating strip interposed between one of said contact plates and an electric energy cell terminal to hold said circuit open and upon removal thereof to allow said circuit to close, said electric energy cell and contact plates and insulating strip being assembled axially in said cylindrical sleeve in sandwich fashion wherein said cap will exert a clamping force thereon to assure positive contact, ears protruding from said housing and circumferentially spaced therearound, and a parachute having harness lines attached to said ears wherein said device can be safely dropped from the air.

2. The device for physically marking a trail or the like as defined in claim 1, in which the parachute is composed of a brightly-colored, translucent plastic material.

3. A device for visually marking a trail or the like, comprising a substantially spherical housing formed for passing diffused light therethrough, said housing being hollow to form an interior chamber, a cylindrical sleeve extending radially within said housing and forming a pedestal within said housing, an electric lamp mounted on the cylindrical sleeve and positioned in the central area of said chamber for illuminating and passing light through a major portion of said housing, an electric energy cell positioned within said cylindrical sleeve for energizing said electrical lamp, said sleeve extending outwardly of said housing and having threads thereon, a cap engageable with said threads to close the outward end of the sleeve whereby a readily accessible opening is provided to the interior of said sleeve, said sleeve and cap having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of said spherical mounting wherein said illuminated housing will be visible from any direction, Connector means forming an electrical circuit between said electric energy cell and said electric lamp for transfer of energy therebetween, an electric flasher connected to said electrical circuit for causing said electric lamp to blink on and 011?, said connector means incorporating a pair of contact plates adapted to lie adjacent the terminals of said electric energy cell and make contact therewith, and a removable insulating strip, said removable insulating strip and one of said contact plates being constructed to form manual switch means in which the removable insulating strip is interposed between the contact plate and an electric energy terminal to hold the circuit open and in which the removable insulating strip is interposed between the plate and the threaded cap for urging the plate against the electric energy cell terminal and hold the circuit closed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,154,130 9/1915 Rosenfeld. 2,090,293 8/ 1937 Haines 340-321 2,849,819 9/1958 Murphy et al 240-64 X 3,011,048 11/1961 OBrien 240-6.4 3,128,951 4/1964 Nicholl 200-60 X NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner. I. J. LEVIN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR VISUALLY MARKING A TRAIL OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING A TRANSLUCENT HOUSING COLORED TO CONTRAST WITH ITS INTENDED ENVIRONMENT, SAID HOUSING BEING SUBSTANTIALLY SPHERICAL AND FORMED FROM TWO HEMISPHERICAL SHELLS JOINED TO FORM A HOLLOW INTERIOR CHAMBER, AN ELECTRIC LAMP POSITIONED IN THE CENTRAL AREA OF SAID CHAMBER FOR ILLUMINATING AND PASSING LIGHT THROUGH A MAJOR PORTION OF SAID HOUSING, AN ELECTRIC ENERGY CELL POSITIONED WITHIN HOUSING FOR ENERGIZING SAID ELECTRIC LAMP AND HAVING TERMINALS AT THE ENDS THEREOF, A CYLINDRICAL SLEEVE EXTENDING RADIALLY WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND PROPORTIONED FOR HOLDING SAID ELECTRIC ENERGY CELL AND FORMING A PEDESTAL FOR SUPPORTING SAID ELECTRIC LAMP, SAID SLEEVE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID HOUSING HAVING THREADS THEREON, A CAP ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID THREADS TO CLOSE THE OUTWARD END OF THE SLEEVE WHEREIN A READILY ACCESSIBLE OPENING IS PROVIDED TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING, A CONNECTOR MEANS FORMING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BETWEEN SAID ELECTRIC ENERGY CELL AND SAID ELECTRIC LAMP FOR TRANSFER OF ENERGY THEREBETWEEN, A FLASHER CONNECTED TO SAID ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FOR CAUSING SAID ELECTRIC LAMP TO BLINK ON AND OFF, SAID CONNECTOR MEANS INCORPORATING A PAIR OF CONTACT PLATES ADAPTED TO LIE ADJACENT THE TERMINALS OF THE ELECTRIC ENERGY CELL AND MAKE CONTACT THEREWITH, A REMOVABLE INSULATING STRIP INTERPOSED BETWEEN ONE OF SAID CONTACT PLATES AND AN ELECTRIC ENERGY CELL TERMINAL TO HOLD SAID CIRCUIT OPEN AND UPON REMOVAL THEREOF TO ALLOW SAID CIRCUIT TO CLOSE, SAID ELECTRIC ENERGY CELL AND CONTACT PLATES AND INSULATING STRIP BEING ASSEMBLED AXIALLY IN SAID CYLINDRICAL SLEEVE IN SANDWICH FASHION WHEREIN SAID CAP WILL EXERT A CLAMPING FORCE THERON TO ASSURE POSITIVE CONTACT, EARS PROTRUDING FROM SAID HOUSING AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED THEREAROUND, AND A PARACHUTE HAVING HARNESS LINES ATTACHED TO SAID EARS WHEREIN SAID DEVICE CAN BE SAFELY DROPPED FROM THE AIR. 